Theos-Talk Archives (June 2009 Message tt00432)

Mr. Rozman, 

It's good that you have asked for clarification regarding this embarrasing situation, as you call it. 

Let me tell you that although the subject you touched is related,  we were discussing how some ES members in Latin America were advised to leave the ES last year, IF they had doubts about Radha Burnier's faculties, as in relation to her task as International President of the TS!

So, at least in the Latin American region,  the ES fuctioned as a state in the state, as a manipulative, and secretive political instrument. The ES was not founded by HPB for that reason, The ES should be above all turmoil; it is crystal clear. 

One can write long essays about this complicated subject, but to put it in very simple words: HPB was not happy with the commitment of some TS members, so the ES was primarely founded to encourage its participants to study,  and to develop their knowledge of the theosophical teachings. She never had the intention to create a club for a theosophical elite,  or to turn it into a  secret organization,  where only 'super-theosophists' gather... There shouldn't be anything 'secret' about the ES, full stop!

Should avoid, at least for this part of the discussion, to again start talking about the electioneering letters, or to start this talk about the International President being fit enough,  to lead the Adyar group,  or not. In my opinion, that is another subject. 

In a democratic and transparent election process for an International President of the TS, members of both the TS,  and also the  ES,  since they are ordinary TS members as well, have the r i g h t to vote, yes? They are entitled to have a preference, yes? We can agree with a candidate or disagree, but one may never take away the basic freedom to choose, right or wrong; i.e. to have one's own preference, yes?  If that crucial element of free choice is obscured by means of exact instruction or advice from certain quarters, you cannot refer to an election as being free, fair, or democratic. 

It is important, that Adyar members look into this subject carefully, without getting too emotional, but rationally and objectively. 

The best and most effective way way to avoid all these problems is to seperate the functions of International President and Outer Head of the ES completely , as was the case during previous administrations, before 1980.  If I am correct, during the John Coats years, the International President was not the head of the ES.  In the history of the TS Adyar,  there are more examples of International Presidents who gave up other responsabilities (LCC/CO-Masons) to be fully available for their important task. 

The current International President (Adyar) , heads the TS, ES,  and CoMasonry. 

Roberta




--- In theos-talk@yahoogroups.com, "Anton Rozman" <anton_rozman@...> wrote:
>
> Dear Ramadoss,
> 
> I think it is premature to make any conclusions. At this point we have just two conflicting statements regarding the exact wording in the original document - an embarrassing situation by itself. Let's see if I will get a reply or/and a copy of the document from Mr. S. Sundaram.
> 
> Best regards,
> Anton
> 
> 
> --- In theos-talk@yahoogroups.com, MKR <mkr777@> wrote:
> >
> > At least the Indian Section formally adopted a resolution and reported it.
> > -
> > I have not seen any such in the American Section. I learnt of the
> > nominations only when I received the electioneering letter from Betty
> > alleging that Radha is sick and supporting voting for John.
> > -
> > May be American Section does the nomination differently.
> > -
> > Any one wants to clear the mystery.
> > -
> > MKR
> > -
> > Visit theosophy.net
> > 
> > On Fri, Jun 19, 2009 at 12:11 PM, keith_fisher@
> > <exsecy@>wrote:
> > 
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > One word has been altered from the original text.
> > >
> > > I can confirm that the actual wording in the report was as follows:
> > >
> > >
> > > "Council unanimously resolved that the Indian Section will
> > > nominate Mrs. Radha Burnier for the International President
> > > of the Theosophical Society for the next term of 7 years."
> > >
> > > It is normal procedure for each General Secretary to consult
> > > with the National Council Members in their own country on
> > > who should be nominated for President
> > >
> > > Each General Secretary is allowed to make three nominations.
> > >
> > > Best wishes
> > > Keith
> > >
> > > --- In theos-talk@yahoogroups.com <theos-talk%40yahoogroups.com>, "Anand"
> > > <AnandGholap@> wrote:
> > > >
> > > > --- In theos-talk@yahoogroups.com <theos-talk%40yahoogroups.com>, "Anton
> > > Rozman" <anton_rozman@> wrote:
> > > > >
> > > > > Dear friends,
> > > > >
> > > > > It seems that this message to vote Radha Burnier was extended also to
> > > the rest of membership at least in one case as an anonymous visitor of my
> > > web site sent me a notice that in the latest Annual Report of the Indian
> > > Section the General Secretary reported that "Council unanimously resolved
> > > that the Indian Section will support Mrs. Radha Burnier for the
> > > International President of the Theosophical Society for the next term of 7
> > > years."
> > > > >
> > > > > Till now I wasn't able to get confirmation of the correctness of this
> > > passage from some other source therefore I wonder if there is anyone on this
> > > list who can do this for us.
> > > > >
> > > >
> > > > This annual report has not reached me.
> > > >
> > >
> > >  
> > >
> > 
> > 
> > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> >
>